Bird Flu Outbreak Spreads in West Michigan Dairy Herds
Source-Al-Jazeera The spread of HPAI spread of HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) continues to pose a significant threat to dairy herds across West Michigan. The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) has reported a new outbreak in Ottawa County, confirmed by testing at the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. This marks the latest in a series of outbreaks affecting dairy herds in the region, with the first cattle outbreak identified on March 29 in Montcalm County. To date, there have been 23 outbreaks spanning 10 counties in Michigan. Health and Safety Measures Despite the spread of HPAI, federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assure the public that the commercial milk supply remains safe. The rigorous pasteurization process and stringent federal animal health regulations effectively mitigate the ...